Wedding bells ringing after repairs

Wedding bells are ringing once again at a Walsall church after a freak accident had left it sitting in silence for the last month.

Happy couple Brian Rainbow and Kelly Allcock of Caldmore were the first couple to marry at St Matthew's Church over the weekend since work was carried out to repair the church's muffled bell.

The occasion was made all the more special as Mr Rainbow is himself a bell ringer at the church.

The town church which sits prominently on the hill by St Matthew's Close has fallen silent for the last month after a wooden bell stay snapped, jamming between the clapper and wall. The accident had only happened a handful of times in 40 years in all the towers in the country. It became a race against time to get the bells ringing again and in time for the couple's happy day. The work was finally completed on Friday night in time for Mr Rainbow, himself a bell ringer at St Matthew's, to tie the knot with his bride.

John Edlin, tower captain, said: "Brian has been a bell ringer for the last five months and it was important the bell was fixed for his special day.

"St Matthew's Church has one of the best towers in the country and the sound from the bells in full flow is just fantastic. The couple have both had a wonderful day and I am just so pleased the bells were back working again for their wedding."

The afternoon and evening reception was held at the County Hotel in Walsall. For their honeymoon they will spend 10 days based in Sorrento, Italy. Kelly has a four-year-old son who acted as page at the service.

Brian and Kelly met at the Royal Sun Alliance insurance company. Kelly is a team leader of claims and Brian is a senior technical underwriter.

Kelly, aged 31, said: "The bells sounded amazing and they really helped our wedding day feel special. I am just so grateful that they were back working for our special day."

Brian, aged 33, added: "It is nice to be the one listening to the bells for a change rather than be up in the tower ringing them.

"I am just so pleased they were back working for our wedding. The day has been simply perfect."